KEY POINTS:
Brent Todd has broken free of his shackles this weekend - the former league star has completed his home detention and is set to leave New Zealand.
The security bracelet came off yesterday morning, the day before his 12 months' home detention was due to finish. The first thing Brent Todd did was have a shower and go straight to work.
A source close to Todd told the Herald on Sunday the former league star, who turned 44 on Friday, plans a new life in Australia now he has finished his home detention service for his part in a multi-million-dollar gaming machine fraud.
"Brent is moving to the Gold Coast next Monday," the source said. "He's looking forward to seeing his family. His daughter Jessica celebrated her birthday on Friday - the same day as Toddy's - and it's the second year now he's missed her birthday. It really got to him."
In Australia, Todd will continue to work with the barging company he has been employed by in New Zealand since his contract ended with car wash company Car-Fe after the closure of its Takapuna outlet.
Matthew Ridge, who owns Car-Fe and the Freemans Bay house Todd has called home for the past year, says he will miss his friend (and tenant) when he leaves this country for good.
"I won't have anyone to take the mickey out of," Ridge joked. "It will be pretty weird not having him around. He's been like a big brother to me. He's a great man, a really hard worker. I'll miss him heaps."
Friends and family members were last night invited to join Todd in celebrating his newfound freedom at the Viaduct's Cowboy bar. Ridge, entertainment mogul Julie Christie and TV star April Ieremia were all expected to attend the party.
They have been long-time supporters of Todd's and were present at the Auckland District Court a year ago when Judge Tom Everett imposed the 12-month home detention penalty and a 190-hour community work sentence.
Todd pleaded guilty for his part in a false invoicing racket that the Serious Fraud Office alleged involved fraudulent use of pokie funds granted to North Harbour Rugby Union, Team Harbour and Touch New Zealand between 2000 and 2004.
During home detention Todd, former Canberra and Kiwis prop, was restricted to serving out the sentence at the Freemans Bay address, with the exception of his work commitments and supervised runs at Victoria Park.
